The National Federation Party’s Management Board has endorsed Mr Parmod Chand to be the next Member of Parliament following the resignation of Roko Tupou Draunidalo last Friday afternoon from the positions of MP and Party President.

Rakiraki lawyer and NFP Ra Branch President Mr Semi Titoko has been endorsed by the Board to be the Acting President of NFP.

Roko Draunidalo conveyed her resignation as an MP to the Honourable Speaker and as NFP President and Party Member to the NFP General Secretary and Registrar of Political Parties.

Acting President Mr Semi Titoko has proven himself to be an exceptional leader in Ra and his latest accomplishment was the successful hosting of the NFP Convention and AGM last September in the district, attended by 700 Party Members and delegates.

He will act in the position until the Party’s AGM later this year.

Mr Parmod Chand is a former NFP MP, having served the Party in Parliament from 1994 to 1999. He is a successful cane grower, a well-known businessman in the Northern Division and the President of Fiji Bus Operators Association. Mr Chand is also the Party’s Vice-President, a position he has held since March 2014.

He was endorsed by the Management Board as he has the fourth highest votes (1014 votes) in the 2014 general elections. Once Mr Chand is in Parliament, the NFP’s numbers in the House will be back to three.

From June 3 rd last year, the Party had two MPs following the suspension of Roko Draunidalo for the rest of the parliamentary term.

Roko Draunidalo’s suspension was harsh and unfair as noted by the Inter Parliamentary Union. Understandably, she was frustrated by her inability to effectively be the voice of her voters in Parliament.

Roko Draunidalo discharged her duties of both as an MP and Party President effectively and fearlessly. She has decided to move on and we wish her well.

Mr Parmod Chand and the Party now await the decision of the Electoral Commission, which has to formally write to Mr Chand.

However we note the term of the Commission expired on January 9. The Constitutional Offices Commission that is empowered to appoint the Chairperson and Members of the Electoral Commission has not made any appointments.

This is unacceptable and we have stated this very clearly in our statement last Saturday.